U.S. to deploy 12 F-22 stealth jets to Japan

The United States plans to deploy about a dozen F-22 stealth jets to Japan along with 300 service members in mid-January, the 5th Air Force announced Monday.

It is part of Washington's commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region as part of the rebalancing toward the region, it said.

"Air Combat Command continues to routinely deploy aircraft to the Asia-Pacific Region, providing Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command commanders a Theater Security Package in the region, deepening ties with our allies and our relationship with the international community," the unit said in breaking news carried on its website.

The F-22s, known as the most advanced stealth jets in existence, will be deployed to the Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.

Movement of the U.S. Air Force fighters into the Pacific has been ongoing since 2004 in order to maintain a prudent deterrent against threats to regional security and stability, it added.

In a similar move, the U.S. made public plans to deploy 12 F-16 fighter jets to South Korea within this month. (Yonhap News)